Internship Program
About KCPD INTERNSHIPS
KCPD Internships give college students the opportunity to gain hands-on, real-world experience while learning how a major metropolitan police department and/or crime laboratory operates—all while fulfilling academic degree requirements.
Internships range from 145 to 300 hours and typically involve at least four hours per day, up to five days per week. Because this is an unpaid program, scheduling is designed with flexibility in mind. Much like a college course schedule, our interns are trusted to manage their time and responsibilities as the adults they are.
We are not currently taking applications, but watch this page for the next opportunity to apply.
See more information on the career path internships we offer below.
Internships unique to your career path
Law Enforcement/Professional Staff
This opportunity exposes students to the entire KCPD, both sworn and non-sworn positions, and brings awareness to the multitude of careers vital to the success of a law enforcement agency.
Applications for the 2026 Spring semester will be open October 1 - November 30, 2025.
The 2026 Spring Intern schedule is Tuesdays and Thursdays from 0900 - 1300 hours, beginning February 3, 2026.
Requirements for the LE/Professional Staff Internship Program:
- Completed Internship Application (online)
- Two (2) letters of recommendation from professors, academic advisors or law enforcement professionals
- Short essay on why you should be selected as an Intern
Recommendations and essays must be submitted electronically to [email protected] or [email protected].
Background checks and fingerprinting will be required of all participants.
The program provides hands-on experience in a major city police department and helps students fulfill academic degree requirements.
At the end of the internship, you will receive:
- A comprehensive evaluation
- A certified record of total hours completed
- Copies of your mirrored reports and final paper/project
- A copy for your own records, with materials also sent to your college/university if applicable
No. This is an unpaid internship; there is no compensation or reimbursement from KCPD.
Fall Interns are scheduled primarily on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Spring Interns are scheduled primarily on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Summer Interns are scheduled Monday - Friday.
Each intern will complete five ride-alongs/observations, each an 8-hour shift, scheduled on alternate days.
: Yes. Additional opportunities may include:
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Volunteering with the Police Athletic League (PAL)
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Serving as an actor in Police Academy practical exercises
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Spending extra time with specific units of interest (when available)
Crime Laboratory Internship
The Kansas City Police Crime Laboratory Summer Internship Program will be suspended for the summer of 2026 due to FIFA and will resume for the summer of 2027.
Unique to those students pursuing a career in forensic science who want to gain hands-on experience in a crime lab. Most of our Kansas City Police Crime Lab Interns are in their 2nd or 3rd year of an undergraduate degree program, but we also provide opportunities for graduate level students.
The following are requirements for the Summer Internship Program with the Kansas City Police Crime Lab:
- Completed Internship Application (online)
- Copy of current and past college transcripts (cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher required)
- Two (2) letters of recommendation from professors and/or academic advisors
- Curriculum Vitae
- Short essay on why you should be selected as an intern and what section(s) of the laboratory is desired (Chemistry, Trace, DNA/Biology, Firearms, Digital Evidence, Latent Prints, Crime Scene)
Items (other than the online application) must be submitted via U.S. Mail to: Kansas City Police Crime Laboratory, 2645 Brooklyn Ave., Kansas City, MO 64127, or sent electronically to [email protected].
Upon completion of these tasks an in-person interview will be scheduled. If selected, the HR process will then begin. This process will include a polygraph examination and background investigation.
Please visit the KCPD Crime Lab page for more information about the services they provide.